Myasthenia Awareness

June is Myasthenia Gravis Month

What is Myasthenia Gravis?

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease that affects muscles, specifically the voluntary muscles. (An autoimmune disease is where the body attacks and damages its own tissues. The body can make antibodies that attack itself instead of infections).

In MG antibodies attach to nerves which make them unable to stimulate muscles correctly. Muscle weakness with activity is the main symptom. The muscle weakness can improve with periods of rest.

Some symptoms are: drooping eyelids, double vision, slurred speech, difficulty chewing and swallowing, arm and leg weakness.

There are several tests for MG.

There are several treatment goals such as decreasing antibodies, eliminating antibodies and/or inhibit the binding of antibodies. There is no cure.

To view a poster for the disease please see the link below……

"Walk a Day in our Shoes" is the theme.

http://www.myasthenia.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=3YpPIvjNCMw%3d&tabid=40

For more information go to http://www.myasthenia.org